IUGR - Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Baby not growing at expected rate in utero, measuring smaller than gestational age.
Affects: 3-7% of pregnancies
Overview
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also called fetal growth restriction (FGR), occurs when a baby doesn't grow at the expected rate inside the uterus. The baby measures below the 10th percentile for gestational age.
IUGR can be symmetric (entire baby small) or asymmetric (head normal but body small). Causes include placental problems, maternal conditions, infections, and sometimes chromosomal abnormalities.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Close monitoring with frequent ultrasounds tracks growth. Early delivery may be necessary if baby isn't thriving in utero, balancing prematurity risks against continued growth restriction.
🩺 Symptoms
- •Mother: Measuring small for gestational age (fundal height)
- •Mother: May feel less fetal movement
- •Ultrasound: Baby measuring below 10th percentile
- •Ultrasound: Low amniotic fluid
- •Ultrasound: Abnormal Doppler blood flow
- •Often no obvious symptoms to mother
🔍 Causes
- →Placental insufficiency (placenta not working well)
- →Maternal high blood pressure or preeclampsia
- →Maternal chronic conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease)
- →Smoking, alcohol, or drug use
- →Malnutrition or eating disorders
- →Multiple pregnancy
- →Infections (CMV, toxoplasmosis, rubella)
- →Chromosomal abnormalities
- →Structural birth defects
- →Problems with umbilical cord
⚠️ Risk Factors
- •Maternal high blood pressure
- •Preeclampsia
- •Diabetes
- •Kidney disease
- •Heart or lung disease
- •Anemia
- •Smoking
- •Alcohol or drug use
- •Poor nutrition
- •Maternal age over 35 or under 17
- •Previous baby with IUGR
- •Multiple pregnancy
- •Living at high altitude
🔬 Diagnosis
- →Fundal height measuring small
- →Ultrasound showing small baby (below 10th percentile)
- →Estimated fetal weight calculation
- →Amniotic fluid levels
- →Doppler ultrasound of blood flow
- →Serial ultrasounds to track growth over time
- →Non-stress tests
- →Biophysical profile
💊 Treatment
- ✓Identify and treat underlying cause if possible
- ✓Frequent monitoring with ultrasounds
- ✓Non-stress tests and biophysical profiles
- ✓Bed rest or reduced activity
- ✓Nutritional counseling
- ✓Stop smoking, alcohol, drugs
- ✓Low-dose aspirin if related to placental insufficiency
- ✓Early delivery if baby not thriving (balancing prematurity vs. growth restriction)
- ✓Delivery timing individualized based on severity
- ✓Usually by 37-38 weeks, earlier if concerning
🛡️ Prevention
- →Maintain healthy lifestyle
- →Prenatal care starting early
- →Control chronic conditions
- →Avoid smoking, alcohol, drugs
- →Adequate nutrition
- →Gain appropriate weight
- →Low-dose aspirin if high risk
- →Treat infections
⚠️ Potential Complications
- !Low birth weight
- !Difficulty maintaining body temperature
- !Low blood sugar
- !Low resistance to infection
- !Breathing problems
- !Low oxygen levels at birth
- !Stillbirth
- !Preterm birth
- !Cesarean delivery
- !Long-term developmental issues
- !Increased risk of diabetes and heart disease in adulthood
🚨 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- ⚠Decreased fetal movement
- ⚠Measuring small at appointments
- ⚠Any concerning symptoms
- ⚠New or worsening symptoms of underlying condition
Related Conditions
This information is for educational purposes and should not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.